नारायणं गुणैस्सर्वैरुदीर्णं दोषवर्जितम् ।
ज्ञेयं गम्यं गुरूंश्चापि नत्वा सूत्रार्थ उच्यते ।।
Anubhashya is a short metrical text of 32 verses. It is the shortest work among the four texts written by Sri Madhwacharya on Brahma Sutras of Bhagavan Vedavyasa. It is also referred by the name Sankshepa Bhashyam. Sarva Shastrartha Sangraha is another name by which it is well known.
The Brahma Sutras
Vedas are the fountain head of all knowledge. They are comparable to a well-wisher who sets out for eternal well-being of mankind. Because of the esoteric nature of the Vedas, their correct intent is difficult to ascertain. At the behest of the Devas, the Brahma Sutras were composed by Bhagavan Vedavyasa, who is none other than Lord Vishnu Himself, to lay down a framework for the correct interpretation of the Vedas.
The Brahma Sutras are in the form of aphorisms arranged in 4 chapters each of which is further divided into 4 sections. Each section deals with several topics called Adhikaranas. Each Adhikarana discusses the meaning of a particular Vedic Passage under question. First the view of the prevailing misconceptions (called the Purvapaksha) is stated and the Siddhanta (Final Conclusion) is provided. There are, in all, 222 Adhikaranas and a total of 564 sutras in the Brahma Sutras. Together, the entire Sutras support the inquiry of the Brahman through the Vedas for obtaining salvation from sorrowful existence.
Why this text was written?
In the tradition of Tattvavada, great importance is given to the study of the Brahma Sutras. They are called the Para Vidya or the highest knowledge. The traditional way to known the authentic meaning of the Brahma Sutras is by studying the Brahma Sutra Bhashya composed by Sri Madhwacharya by the order of Lord Vedavyasa Himself. It became a practice for all disciples to recite the Brahma Sutra Bhashya once before partaking their meals. They used to adhere to this practice with great devotion and faith. But they used to find it very hard to complete the recitation on special days such as Sadhana Dvadashi. The staunch disciples used to even skip the meal to complete the recitation. Observing this, the benevolent Acharya decided to compose a smaller text that can be recited in a few minutes, but gives merits of reciting the entire Sutra Bhashya.
Why the name Anu Bhashya?
The word Anu means concise. As this is a very concise version of the Bhashya this text is aptly called as Anu Bhashya. The name also differentiates this from the other two works on the Sutras, Bhashya and Anuvyakhyana. Commentaries Several stalwarts have written pristine commentaries on Anu Bhashya. They include Vivarana of Sri Satyanatha Tirtha, Tattvamanjari of Sri Raghavendra Swami, Ananda Mala of Sri Traivikramarya Dasa, Anubhashya Vivarana of Srinivasa Tirtha, Tatparyaprakashika of Chalari Sheshacharya and others.
Meaning of Brahma Sutras
The four chapters of Anu Bhashya succinctly bring out the true purport of the entire Brahma Sutras. Sri Acharya has packed the elaborate and esoteric meanings in this very short work. A few phrases in the Anu Bhashya capture the entire essence of each of the four adhyayas.
1. मुख्यतः सर्वशब्दैश्च वाच्य एको जनार्दनः ।
Vishnu is Guna Poorna – Samanvaya Adhyaya
2. सर्वदोषोझ्झितस्तस्मात् भगवान् पुरुषोत्तमः ।
Vishnu is Dosha Doora – Avirodha Adhyaya
3. उपास्यः सर्ववेदैश्च सर्वैरपि यथाबलम्
Vishnu is to be worshipped - Sadhana Adhyaya
4. दुःखादिरहिता नित्यं मोदन्तेविरतं सुखम्
State of bliss – Phala Adhyaya
Unique Features of Anu Bhashya
» It is a concise presentation of the Brahma Sutra Bhashya.
» Acharya exhibits an exemplary style of presentation in this text. While keeping the flow of the intent in each of the 32 verses, each word also serves to summarize a topic from the original text.
» A dual invocation is made, one at the beginning and the other at the end.
» The invocatory verse in the beginning summarizes the meaning of each of the four chapters.
» The intent of each Adhikarana is concisely explained in one or two words. This helps to capture the intent of each Adhikarana in a precise manner.
» The continuity of logical thought is also captured in each of the verses thus making the intent of Brahma Sutras very clear.
» Collectively each chapter summarizes one Adhyaya of Brahma Sutras.
» The four chapters put together successfully bring home the intent of the entire Brahma Sutras.
Conclusion
Lord Narayana is the chief purport of all scriptures. He is full of infinite auspicious attributes. He is devoid of all blemishes. He is the one to be known. Mankind’s ultimate goal is to reach Him and that is possible only by His grace. Knowing thus, the mankind should perform their ordained roles without expecting mundane results in this world. This is the conclusion of the Brahma Sutras that is summarised in the Anu Bhashya. This work is composed by none other Sri Madhwacharya, the third incarnation of Lord Vayu, who is extolled in the Vedas as Dashapramati a.k.a Purna Pragna. In the closing invocatory verse, Sri Acharya signs off stating that the only purpose of this work is to obtain the grace of the Lord of Goddess Lakshmi.
पूर्णप्रज्ञेनमुनिना सर्वशास्त्रार्थसङ्ग्रहः
कृतोयं प्रीयतां तेन परमात्मा रमापतिः ।।
नमो नमोशेषदोषदूरपूर्णगुणात्मने ।
विरिञ्चिशर्वपूर्वेड्य वन्द्याय श्रीवराय ते ।।